Super Sexy Frugal Valentine’s Day

That’s what I’m calling it today :) Cuz the Mrs and I have decided to stay in and play games instead of going out and doing a fancy pants dinner/movies/dozen roses, etc etc. Not that anything’s wrong with that, we’re just in super savings mode right now. Or more accurately — “non-spending” mode (ya know, cuz of the whole self-employment thing).

So for once in a very long time, we are going to shut off all those electronics around us we’re addicted to – the laptops, iPhones, tvs, etc – and have some good ol’ fashion quality time together. With a lot of wine, and a lot of candles to set the mood up right. Then, if I play my cards right (literally! bah-dum-ching), we shall end up naked. Yup, that’s right I said it – NAKED. Which, let’s be honest, is the best part of any date done right ;) And that’s usually totally free!

Here are games I’ll try playing as part of my master plan (you better not be reading this, honey):

Gin Rummy. It’s always smart to start with the safe bet. A game that both of you are decent at, and can get the night started off right.

Then you throw in something light & laughable like Egyptian Rat Screw. There’s a lot of action in this game (read: slapping), and the drinking of wine helps you get nice and relaxed. (Plus, the “Screw” part of the name helps set the mood, haha…)

And that’s where you make your move with Strip Poker! Because I’m REALLY really good at this game, and she’s really really NOT ;)

Then naturally Scrabble comes next – to make up for the poker. She’ll crush me in this game cuz I ain’t no good with those word thingz. (but it doesn’t really matter cuz we’re naked by now).

And then, you end the night with some classic War action. A simple game to follow after all that imbibing, and one that can easily determine the overall winner of the night. Even though you’re both winners for pretending to be high school’ers all over again ;)

So that’s the plan anyways, what do you think? Would you ladies out there enjoy a date night like this? We’ll see if I can pull it off soon enough. Depending on what time you’re reading this, we could literally be playing poker RIGHT this second! Haha… good times, good times.

What do you guys have in store for the night? Anything clever or juicy? (Here are some more ideas from last year if you need some) Anyone hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day party? I know how annoying it can get to people, so my apologies if you want to barf right now ;) Odds are you’ve stopped reading though already, so I’m kinda talking to myself here…hmm….

Well, whatever you’re up to tonight, just remember that wooing doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. People usually like you for YOU, and not your wallet. Go follow that heart of yours and be sure to let me know if you stumble across any good secrets ;) I’ll need something new for next year.

PS: Some other awesome games we love, but which you need more than 2 people: Apples to Apples, Cranium, Trivial Pursuit, and Balderdash. Monopoly used to be in here, but people usually get bored and never finish the game… which drives me absolutely insane! Monopoly is one of the BEST games ever – it needs to be respected ;)

If you like Monopoly but hate that it takes so long, check out Monopoly Deal. It’s a card game version that’s only $5 in the game section of Target, Walmart, etc… right next to Uno. The winner is the first person to get 3 full property sets and it’s still got all the best things about Monopoly (properties, money, houses, hotels, and making deals!) but it’s much quicker and people don’t get nearly as frustrated! All my friends love it. Check it out =)

Happy Valentines day to you and Mrs. Budgets Are Sexy!! Love the simplicity of your ideas. Simple is always amazing, espeicially on a day like today. Hope she doesn’t read this today and you get to surprise her J$! Keep hustling.

First my wife told me we are exchanging gifts for no more than $10. Then it was nothing until she informed me she wants weights, ya that’s right, weights so she can use them with the workout video she streams from Netflix. I would never have thought she would want weights to work out with for Valentines day! So, she is going to Goodwill to see if she can find any and if not then most likely a used sports store. Guess I got off easy ;)

We are going out to dinner, with the kids, at a local brew pub that has two play areas for the kids so we are semi-kid free, haha.

Monopoly BLOWS. It takes forever, there is very little strategy involved, and it always ends with one person SLOWLY squeezing the life out of another. Lame.

You should pick up some of the “German-Style” games — they are a lot more balanced, require SOME strategy without being overwhelming, and keep everyone involved longer. I recommend Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Bohnanza as good games to start out with. Settlers is good for 3-4 players, TTR is good for 2-5 players, and Bohnanza is good with 3-6 players. For two players maybe try Balloon Cup, Dominion, or Carcassonne.

Our plans for the evening were originally to go skating on one of the outdoor skating rinks in the area, then (I’m guessing) getting/making something warm to drink/warming each other up. Unfortunately it was well above freezing today, and the rinks aren’t holding up too well. I’m not 100% on what the plans are now. *contemplates suggesting strip poker*

@Damsel – Haha… you may have a point there.
@Kevin @ Thousandaire.com – Is that not normal? ;)
@Mysti – Oh yeah!!! Dang that’s a good one. Where do you even find that these days? It’s been a while…
@Erin – Ooooh I could go for some steaks right now. Freakin’ starving… gotta make sure I’m well fed before we crack open that bottle ;) Which starts in T-minus 30 mins.
@Stacy – You should try it too :)
@Wade – Your cooking 1-ups me sir, well done. The last time I cooked for her was Valentine’s day 5 years ago — our first one. I need to get better ;)
@Trinnie S – Awwww, that’s a good one :) Enjoy my friend!!
@LB – Hey, you gotta do that too every now and then. Good job :)
@Stephanie – I actually LOVE that it takes so long! I just hate that others don’t and get cranky after an hour, haha… but I’ll check it out. I’ll just play that game with them, and then the original with true friends ;)
@Debra – haha, well congrats! would be something to be born on V-Day.
@Doc S – Hey bro! Thought about you the other day — hope things are well :) I swear we gotta find a way to grab a drink sometime soon.
@IPA – Weights?! Haha… a woman who knows what she likes, I can get down with that :) Enjoy the pub! Love ’em.
@Jenna – Interesting, never heard of either of those… adding to the list to check out, thx :)
@Josh – Haha, well it’s not for everyone. I have tried Settlers of Catan though! That was a cool change of pace. Didn’t really get it all the way on the first try, but I’d love to try again and start getting used to it – was pretty fun. It also seems to be the “it” game these days w/ the entrepeneur crowd. Probably cuz it requires a lot of kill ;)

@Cassie – Oooooh skating would be hot! But yeah only in best of conditions… let us know if you end up pulling off game night ;) I swear the world would be a better place if everyone was doing it, haha…

@J. Money – I hope your game night went well. My dinner ended up a being a big hit. However, my main reason for this comment is to say that you should really play Settlers of Catan again. My wife and I have found two couples that like to play the game just as much or more than us. Even though the game says it is for 3-4 players, one couple plays it nearly nightly with just the two of them. Oh well, it’s a fun game.

@My Money Mess – Sweet, hope it went well!
@Donny Gamble – That would do it ;)
@Wade – Awesome! Glad it went well my man – our night was pretty fun too, although we ended up sneaking in some movies in there too, haha ;) Classic. And I agree – I def. need to get out there and play more of Settlers. I might have to start poking around my neighbors to see if any of them like playing games cuz my good friends live way too far from me (which really blows, btw). Congrats again on the big hit! :)

@J – SET is great for traveling. Since it just images you don’t need to speak English to play and there is no age advantage. I always keep the cards in my travel bag, you never know when you are going to get stuck at some airport for long hours.

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